Imagine this. A plant growing in a greenhouse with light streaming through, regularly watered, fertilized, and gently cared for by its owner. Isn’t that a delightful picture? People might have called me sheltered, but I’m thankful for it. This year I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how I grew up, and I came to the realization that many people would have considered me to be ‘sheltered.’ I grew up homeschooled. I didn’t go on a great deal of field trips; honestly I was more of a home body anyways. We watched movies, but I didn’t do much internet or social media till I was 15 or 16. I didn’t get Instagram till I was 21. For a long time I wore my hair down and long. I didn’t wear makeup (not because my parents said I couldn’t), but I honestly didn’t want to wear it.

I loved my shelter. My parents raised me in the rich atmosphere soaked with the gospel; my mother and father are both humble people that often confessed their sins and faults to us. They aren’t afraid to admit they’re wrong. If we wanted to watch a movie, they would encourage us to think about it, they didn’t just let us watch or do whatever we wanted, and for that I’m actually really really thankful now because children aren’t very discerning or wise. I was a pretty foolhardy, impetuous child, and God used my parents to gently shepherd and shelter and teach me.

I used to have such a terror/fear/dread come upon me especially during the holidays. Thanksgiving was a SCARY holiday for me. I thought I would go out of control eating all the food. I couldn’t see the food without it being terrifying to me. Enjoying the holidays was not something I was able to do very well for a long time, but God has changed me. Jesus has transformed me by His cleansing blood and resurrection power! God has not given me that spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind. And He is purging that fear of food from me; that’s why I wanted to share this for the podcast this week. This is something very close to my heart.

Holidays are supposed to be FUN. They are supposed to be celebrations. If you go to the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites different feasts for celebration, and they were for TASTING and seeing that God is good. That’s what holidays are about for me; that’s what they are about for me as the daughter of God.

But the holidays can even be a spiritual battle so I’m going to start with this precious mighty passage on spiritual warfare from Ephesians 6.

‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;’

So how do we approach the holidays? How has God taught me and is teaching me to approach them? Tomorrow is that BIG Turkey day. There will be a lot of good food from:

That’s what the podcast is all about this week. It’s just me on this week’s, but I wanted to share about 7-10 things I’ve learned.

1. Don’t think about the food before you eat it.
2. Make the food with your family. Enjoy making it. Lick the spoon. It won’t kill you.
3. Thank the Lord for every bite. That takes my mind off the anxiety.
4. It can even be a spiritual battle over the food as these are supposed to be celebrations but the devil doesn’t want us to be enjoying God, enjoying God’s goodness.
5. Don’t look up calorie counts on your baked goods if you buy them. Pray about it. Ask the Lord to help you not focus on the calories.
6. Listen to your body. Chew slowly. Savor it. Don’t feel like you have to eat everything, but don’t not eat something because it scares you.
7. Talk to people about your struggles. Ask them to pray for you.

These two fluffy friends are such a blessing, they’ve taught me that I don’t have enough patience, that life is about endurance not sprinting, and that if God cares for His creatures how much more will He care for me?...“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:9-13‬ ‭

The above picture is a snippet of what I do besides blogging. Now y’all know that I love blogging. I’m passionate about sharing the journey to freedom in Christ, realizing freedom in Christ to reject the idols of food and body and exercise, and I sometimes wish I could blog full time.

I thought I would link this up with Amanda so we can think out loud together about what we do for work and what our dreams, passions, and lives are like from day today!

But… realistically, I’ve finally learned that doing blogging full time is not good for my mental health, because I drain myself too quickly, and then the posts became …. ‘blah.’ Nobody likes blah posts. 🙂 I find that I can pour a lot more into fewer posts, and then I go and fill the rest of my time with:

Disclaimer: Remember that I am not a registered dietitian, nutritionist, or a health professional. Take all the advice with a grain of salt, and please consult your care provider before making any changes to your health journey.

Intuitive eating. It is how we were made, yet…. because of the effects of sin on my body, I have digestive issues. These issues make intuitive eating hard; sometimes the issues are so painful that intuitive eating seems impossible. Don’t get me wrong. I love intuitive eating, and I don’t and won’t ever actively promote calorie counting or food tracking or even food journaling (unless you have to) but when you have a family history of digestive issues, it can be hard to know when you’re actually full or actually hungry.

This is not pity party for Em of course. Lately, my digestion has actually been really good (much better than normal), yet i want to talk and share about why digestive issues can make the concept of intuitive eating even harder.

The Life of the Writer

I live in the beautiful state of Colorado where 14ers are to give you all the sore legs you need, amazing skiing, plenty of other runners, glorious sunsets, majestic elk herds, and peaceful country roads with clear air.

Please follow & like us :)

Go Back in Time!

Go Back in Time!

I am a very ordinary girl. I’m 24, but if you met me, you wouldn’t believe me. I am passionate about girls finding true beauty in Christ. I love peanut butter, icecream, and salad. My hobbies are cooking, baking, sharing laughs and tears with others, and sharing the fullness of joy that Christ has put in me. I love reading other blogs, and I hope that this will be a place where you can find encouragement, recipes, smiles, and joy. Click here to read more about me...